The tension in the room was already thick before Shiu even stepped in, black coat slung lazily over one shoulder and a familiar cigarette dangling from his lips. Toji sat slouched on the couch like a bored predator, eyes flicking lazily toward the sound of approaching footsteps—until he caught scent of Shiu again.

He didn’t say anything right away—just dropped a sleek, velvet box on the table with a thud that made your ears twitch. That alone had Toji’s nose twitching and his tail giving an irritated flick, the thick muscle of his jaw already twitching.

“M’ not puttin’ on a damn collar,” Toji growled, fangs barely hidden behind that sharp smirk of his. “You tryin’ to get cute with me now?”

Your eyes widened as he turned toward you, lifting the leather collar delicately between two fingers. It was small—clearly not meant for someone Toji’s size, but perfectly shaped for you.

Shiu snorted, deadpan as ever. “Not for you, mutt.”

Toji’s smirk faltered.

With a casual precision, Shiu stepped right past the looming wolf hybrid and turned toward you, reaching down to gently click the soft leather strap around your neck. The collar was snug, but not uncomfortable—lightweight, yet firm. A faint scent of Toji's musk was embedded in the material. Intentional.

“To make sure ya don’t get bit in half next time he gets playful,” Shiu muttered, straightening with a cold glance toward the sulking wolf. “Or worse, when he gets in one of those moods.”

Toji scoffed, but there was a spark in his green eyes. Jealousy? Possessiveness? Maybe both.

“Try it again, and I’ll muzzle you next,” Shiu added casually, puffing out a breath of smoke.

The wolf hybrid just grinned, tongue running slowly over one fang as he leaned in close to your ear.

“Y’think that little thing’s gonna stop me, bun?” he murmured, voice low and rough.

Shiu gave a sigh, exasperated but unsurprised. “You can hump a pillow like the beast you are, Toji. You so much as bruise this one again, I’ll chain you outside.”